She makes a face at us. “Y’all do know that antibiotics aren’t instant, right?”
Samir puts away the syringe and swabs her arm. “I don’t know if this will do anything. The dose is extremely small because I’m worried about giving you too much, even if it’s expired. It’s not formulated for humans.”
“I know all that,” Dottie says. It’s the same thing Samir has repeated to us a half-dozen times over, fretting over Dottie and her condition. He’d actually talked to the fort doctors to see if he could get medicine for Dottie, but they refused to even consider trading. The supply of life-saving antibiotics they have is too small and too precious.
“You’re going to need to stay here for several days for monitoring and daily doses,” Samir continues. “We’ll watch for improvement, and if there’s none, we’ll have to change tactics.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” I say, confident. “Dottie can take as long as she needs to feel better. We’re not going anywhere.”
Dottie eyes us all, crammed into the small living quarters. “While I appreciate the thought of everyone hanging out all day just to stare at me and see if I live, you’re better off doing other things. Those cats will need to be fed. The dogs, too.”
“Speaking of dogs,” Aggie says slowly, glancing over at Jonah.”Do you want to come and meet the puppies? See which one you get along with best?”
He stiffens, his shoulders going back. His hands twitch on his pants legs. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, I’ve got a bunch of puppies and I heard you like dogs.” She smirks at him.
Given that he’s the one who’s been handing out training tips? I hold back a snort of derision, because I know she’s going somewhere with this.
Jonah’s mouth twitches, a smile spreading across his face. “I do, yeah.”
“I also heard that you might be in need of a new friend,” Aggie continues. “One to train to help you out. Be your eyes and all that.”
His posture grows even stiffer, his hands flexing on his pants again. “I… Dad and I don’t have the ability to trade enough. It’s going to be more than we can afford.”
Aggie harrumphs. “Did I demand a payment? I’m looking for a good home for these little guys. Someone that would love him—or her—and give ’em a good life. Do you know anyone like that?”
Jonah swallows visibly. “I’d give him—or her—a great life. I promise.”
“Thought you might. But like I said, you’ll still want to meet them. Stella’s my girl but she ain’t the brightest bulb in the shed, if you catch my drift. Her kids might be worse.”
Jonah’s smile is so brilliant it’s painful to see. “I’m sure they’re fine. And I’d love to meet them. Dad?” He turns his head slightly, towards his father’s direction. “What do you think?”
Samir hesitates, looking over at Aggie. She gives him a quiet thumbs-up. After a pause, he clears his throat, and I could swear there are tears in his eyes. “I think we have room for a dog again, yes. Even a stupid one.”
The smile that lights up Jonah’s face is even bigger than before. “When can we visit?”
“Apparently we have some free time coming up while we wait for Dottie to get better,” Aggie says. “Want to come tomorrow? I bet Murr will fly us all back and forth.”
“Murr fly all,” my mate agrees. “Aggie, Jonah, Samir?”
“Not Samir,” the doctor says. “I’ll stay here and watch over Dottie.”
“I’ll stay with her, too,” Rabbit adds. She shoots an adoring look in Jonah’s direction. “Just to keep Dottie company in case Samir gets called away. I’ll go next time.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Aggie says. “I’ll put on my best wig and we’ll make a day of it. Maybe you’ll know what breed of dog they are, Jonah. I say Stella’s a doodle?—”
We all groan in unison.
CHAPTER 105
DAKOTA
“Oh wow,it smells like a bookstore in here,” Jonah declares the next day as we lead him into our home. A smile creases his face, his head turning back and forth so he can take in even more of the scents. “I’d almost forgotten what they smell like.”
“Could be worse,” Aggie comments, leading him forward. “Could be dogs.”
“I smell them, too, but it’s not a bad smell.” Jonah keeps a light hand on Aggie’s arm, his other hand on his cane, letting the tip of it warn him of any objects in his path. “They’re two of my favorite smells, if I’m being honest. And all of this smells better than the fort.”
